Photo: Kevork Djansezian/Getty
“Old Town Road”got the ultimate remix, thanks toBTSandDiplo— and newly minted Grammy winner Lil Nas X also got help from bigNas.
At theGrammy Awardson Sunday, the K-pop boy band — including band members RM, Jungkook, Jimin, V, Suga, Jin and J-Hope — and the deejay, 41, joinedLil Nas XandBilly Ray Cyrusfor the ultimate performance of the country rap hit, which isnominated for record of the year,before Nas made a surprise appearance to help sing “Rodeo.”
The performance kicked off with a special tribute to thelate Kobe Bryant, as Lil Nas X performed the beginning of “Old Town Road” sitting next to a Los Angeles Lakers jersey bearing Bryant’s name and jersey number.
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Next cameMason Ramsey, the 13-year-old Yodeling Walmart kid, who was featured on an Area 51-themed remix titled“Old Town Raid”with Lil Nas X, Cyrus and Young Thug, and Diplo, who strummed a banjo as he sat on a hay bale.
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Diplo and Orville Peck at the 2020 Grammy Awards.Rich Fury/Getty Images
After the motley crew performed altogether, Nas made his surprise appearance, hopping on “Rodeo,” a Lil Nas X track originally featuringCardi B.
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Nas wrapped his feature with a second shoutout to Bryant, who was killed Sunday morning in a plane crash along with his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others.
“Kobe, we love you,” he told the crowd as he walked off stage.
At the time of the history-making feat, the 20-year-old rapper acknowledged how he was a “struggling artist” years before, but due to the hard work and perseverance he put into the country/rap track, his life drasticallychanged for the better.
“Did I know it would become the longest running number 1️⃣ song of all time? NO! but I am so thankful that this blessing has been placed upon me,” he shared. “This song has changed my life and the way I see the world around me in less than a year.”
Be sure to check out PEOPLE’sfull Grammy Awards coverageto get the latest news on music’s biggest night.
Billy Ray Cyrus (L) and Lil Nas X.Lil Nas X/YouTube
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Since its release in Dec. 2018, the song was nearly everywhere, from the radio to movie trailers, to social media. Then, Lil Nas X signed to Columbia Records and released his EP,7, which was a follow-up to his self-released projectNASARATIfrom 2018.
Other performers taking the Grammys stage Sunday evening include Eilish,Aerosmith,Camila Cabello,Brandi Carlile,Ariana Grande, H.E.R.,Jonas Brothers,DJ Khaled,John Legend, Lizzo,Demi Lovato,Meek Mill,Rosalía,Blake Shelton,Gwen StefaniandTanya Tucker.
The 62ndGrammy Awardsare airing live from Los Angeles’ Staples Center on Sunday, Jan. 26 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
source: people.com
